[zx1200r]

I know this is a Trx forum, but a lot of people liked my Big Red so...

How many of you agree with me that the Honda 250es big Red is probably the best ATV ever built ???

If I could only own one ATV that would be it...It is the most versatile machine I own. Do yard work in the morn, stomp through the mud in the afternoon, Wheelie,roost, jump and fly around the pit in the evening...

And straight-up bullet proof....

 

[YSW_Racing]

i like trikes but no i dont agree that its the best atv ever built, far from it, first of its not even a atv really. that name is more for quads. there fun but there are quads that can do everything you mentoned and still be more stable doing it. trikes were cool but they had flaws.

 

[KTM265]

Our resident know it all on here is showing his lack of knowledge again. The 3 wheels are considered ATVs and most states require ATV tags on them too...same tag as the 4 wheel ATVs.

The old trikes are what started the ATV revolution...We should probably thank some sue happy a-hole for taking the 3 wheel design to court and forcing the the modern day quad design that we have now. In their time, Honda had the best one on the market, even today in the hands of someone who knows how to ride them they are fun machines to watch. I have ridden just about everything with wheels for off-road...bikes, trikes, quads, jeeps, trucks...etc... The trikes don't rank at the top of my list but then again, I don't own one and ride it every weekend. I do give them the respect and tip of the hat for being the beginning of what we have now...

 

[Admin]

I loved my 1985 200X, but I think quads are a little more versatile, and stable obviously. But it was a TON of fun, and I hope to get another someday.

 

[zx1200r]

Okay..Here is the scenario...You can only have one machine....
That machine has to do everything what would it be ????

 

[Admin]

That's so tough, and it will probably vary between people, but I'd say.....

TRX700XX
Wolverine 350
Renegade
KFX700

Just my 2 cents though.

 

[xx-rated]

A Wolverine 550. No, it doesn't exist, but a recent review in Dirt Wheels actually had a good idea. It was a shootout between the Scrambler, Renegade 500 and the Wolverine. I would think the Wolverine with the Grizz 550 engine AND IRS would be a pretty good machine. If Can Am could shave some weight off the Renegade 500, add power steering and shrink the chassis down a little, it would be great. The Scrambler is VERY outdated, but obviously is a good machine because they haven't changed them in like, well, forever.

 

[KTM265]

I would probably go with the Renegade... 4X4, sport, big bore...Pretty much a machine for all situations... I don't think it would be as much fun as the KFX700 or the 700XX though.

 

[xx-rated]

I would probably go with the Renegade... 4X4, sport, big bore...Pretty much a machine for all situations... I don't think it would be as much fun as the KFX700 or the 700XX though.

I don't know if you've rode a Renegade, but they are a BIG machine. You can't even open up the 800 on the trail. The steering is pretty stiff on them as well. It is a very cool machine, but to be "perfect", it definitely needs to be a little smaller and they should add a EPS unit to help with handling. Heck, even the EPS unit would help a lot. I haven't rode a 500 yet, but from everything you read they supposedly handle quite a bit better than the 800. I just can't see buying a 500 when there is an 800 sitting right next to it though!

 

[KTM265]

I don't think there is a true "perfect machine" for all types of riding. For a machine that can probably do the most would be the KFX700. I'm not saying that because I'm a Kaw fan but those machines can do anything and do it well... About the only thing they are not recommended for is the mud bogs and that is because they are too heavy to lift out of the mud. Without the 4X4 they are handicapped in the deep mud... That is where the 4X4 Ren really has the edge...the 4X4 makes the steering heavy.

I would love to see Honda come out with a 4X4 option on their 700xx...Now that would be a true fun machine...and work well in pretty much all conditions.

 

[xx-rated]

What would be great is for someone to make a true "sport" 4x4. Smaller chassis and lighter than the current ute's. You are right, an XX with 4-wheel drive and only 15-20 pounds heavier would be sweet!

 

[KTM265]

Amen there... light weight, 4X4, sport suspension... That would be the nats @$$.

 

[Chrisj]

I don't know if you've rode a Renegade, but they are a BIG machine. You can't even open up the 800 on the trail. The steering is pretty stiff on them as well. It is a very cool machine, but to be "perfect", it definitely needs to be a little smaller and they should add a EPS unit to help with handling. Heck, even the EPS unit would help a lot. I haven't rode a 500 yet, but from everything you read they supposedly handle quite a bit better than the 800. I just can't see buying a 500 when there is an 800 sitting right next to it though!

I own the the Renegade 800X and it handles awesome. It handles better than the 700xx and runs 82 mph. The 700xx is a bit more fun for jumping and 2nd and 3rd gear ripping. I'm only 160lbs and have no problems handling both machines. IMO the Renegade 800X is the best all around atv money can buy and have a warranty for 3 years. I paid $11700.00 for the 800x and $12000.00 for my 700XX. The Gade is the better deal by far.

 

[smo0oth1]

What would be great is for someone to make a true "sport" 4x4. Smaller chassis and lighter than the current ute's. You are right, an XX with 4-wheel drive and only 15-20 pounds heavier would be sweet!

The only other atv I considered before the 700xx was the Can Am Renegade 500, It has a sport suspension setup and style. Honda proven reliability and price I got on the 700xx was the deciding factor though.

 

[xx-rated]

I own the the Renegade 800X and it handles awesome. It handles better than the 700xx and runs 82 mph. The 700xx is a bit more fun for jumping and 2nd and 3rd gear ripping. I'm only 160lbs and have no problems handling both machines. IMO the Renegade 800X is the best all around atv money can buy and have a warranty for 3 years. I paid $11700.00 for the 800x and $12000.00 for my 700XX. The Gade is the better deal by far.

The Renegade handles better than the XX? What kind of terrain are you riding in, cuz' I could not disagree more. If I tried to ride a Gade on the trails I ride on as fast as my XX it would be wrapped around a tree.

 

[trailin'me]

a 250ex 4x4 would be the shit .... or even a 300ex ... just widen it a bit and bam. that big can am 4x4 thing is a whale ... it might get great traction ... but its too much of a ute and not enough sport quad... not even close to the speed and nimbleness of my 700xx... haha you knows thats bad when someone says nimble and 700xx in the same sentence.

that big bastard canam thing is for all those guys that want sport quads ... but really havent figured out yet that 4x4 is 99% overkill and fail to understand how to really "ride" a quad.... ya know on a sport quad you always need to be thinking 4 or 5 seconds ahead ..which is the fun .... or you can get in a tank and just run everything over ... hmmm yawn.

as far as that big red ... dood ... when i finished high school in the catskill moutains (new york state)... my aunt had one of those ... and it was really really fun! i dont miss those big balloon tires, but doing 2 wheel donuts sure was fun.

anyway ... i think the best quad ever made would be that orginal honda foreman 400. that thing was a brute ... i put over 12000 miles on one and all my crews mechanic ever did to the thing was the scheduled maintenance (oil/lube/filters) and the occasional boot because i always tore them up running over trees and boulders ... or rusted them stiff and broke wheels off from the salt water marsh in south lousiana.

lastly ..canadians are partial to polaris and can-am ... and you should be. Polaris makes the absolute best sleds ..hands down ...and can-am is getting up there now with innovation and quality ...but still not a Honda ... nor will they ever be a honda.

in three years ... you go trade anything other than a honda ..and you will get assraped.... that right there says it all ....

you spend 10 grand on a honda ... or 8 grand on a can-am ... 3 years youll get 5 - 6 grand for the honda and 3 forthe can am.

 

[Chrisj]

The Renegade handles better than the XX? What kind of terrain are you riding in, cuz' I could not disagree more. If I tried to ride a Gade on the trails I ride on as fast as my XX it would be wrapped around a tree.

I hear the same story with all the sporty guys. Until I ride with them and then they're dumb founded. Especially the Raptor guys. The X handles amazing, it has full adjustment on the suspension and once it's dialed in, it's unstoppable. You can jump and wheelie on demand no problem at all. Plus take all the mudholes and snow with ease.

 

[Chrisj]

a 250ex 4x4 would be the shit .... or even a 300ex ... just widen it a bit and bam. that big can am 4x4 thing is a whale ... it might get great traction ... but its too much of a ute and not enough sport quad... not even close to the speed and nimbleness of my 700xx... haha you knows thats bad when someone says nimble and 700xx in the same sentence.

that big bastard canam thing is for all those guys that want sport quads ... but really havent figured out yet that 4x4 is 99% overkill and fail to understand how to really "ride" a quad.... ya know on a sport quad you always need to be thinking 4 or 5 seconds ahead ..which is the fun .... or you can get in a tank and just run everything over ... hmmm yawn.

as far as that big red ... dood ... when i finished high school in the catskill moutains (new york state)... my aunt had one of those ... and it was really really fun! i dont miss those big balloon tires, but doing 2 wheel donuts sure was fun.

anyway ... i think the best quad ever made would be that orginal honda foreman 400. that thing was a brute ... i put over 12000 miles on one and all my crews mechanic ever did to the thing was the scheduled maintenance (oil/lube/filters) and the occasional boot because i always tore them up running over trees and boulders ... or rusted them stiff and broke wheels off from the salt water marsh in south lousiana.

lastly ..canadians are partial to polaris and can-am ... and you should be. Polaris makes the absolute best sleds ..hands down ...and can-am is getting up there now with innovation and quality ...but still not a Honda ... nor will they ever be a honda.

in three years ... you go trade anything other than a honda ..and you will get assraped.... that right there says it all ....

you spend 10 grand on a honda ... or 8 grand on a can-am ... 3 years youll get 5 - 6 grand for the honda and 3 forthe can am.

The Renegade X is no where near Ute like. You can also save the "honda is best theory" I traded my 07 Honda Rincon for the Gade. The Rincon was nothing but problems. (Tranny slipping, 2 voltage regulators, stalling, boots ripping, etc.) I have 11000km's on my Gade without any warranty work, just maintenance. From a dead stop the Gade will tear the 700xx a new arse. Side by side from 30 and up it's close. That's with a 200lb weight disadvantage to the Gade. The Rotax twin in a 508lb bike, it would take quite the machine to top it. Resale value to me doesn't matter. I don't keep a bike 3 years.

 

[Admin]

I've ridden a Renegade and liked it a lot. I won't say it handles anything like a sport quad, but it is fun to ride and is very quick. The shocks are good, but it still doesnt handle like a sport quad because of the weight and will war you out quickly if driven hard.

I like it though.

 

[Chrisj]

I've ridden a Renegade and liked it a lot. I won't say it handles anything like a sport quad, but it is fun to ride and is very quick. The shocks are good, but it still doesnt handle like a sport quad because of the weight and will war you out quickly if driven hard.

I like it though.

But did you drive the X? Completely different handling than the Yellow one.